Dormition of the Theotokos - Fr. Gregory - August 15, 2021

Today we celebrate the Dormition of the Theotokos, one of twelve Major Feasts in the Orthodox Church. In the Gospel reading taken from Luke, Martha feels abandoned and approaches Jesus criticizing Him and her sister Mary for not doing what they are supposed to do. Our Lord answers her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Martha is doing a good thing but not in a good way. Father Gregory shares with us, that according to Jesus, anxiety produces and serves no purpose, cannot add one minute to our lives and is actually harmful. And yet, despite being one of the wealthiest countries in the world, Americans suffer the effects of anxiety and stress due to our nonstop lifestyles. We must learn to be like Mary choosing the good portion, sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to His words and knowing that neither He nor His Mother has abandoned us or the world.